Story and Photo by Ryan Tipper
The men’s basketball team at Whatcom Community College is the youngest team in years. Since they are defending champions of the last Crossover Classic Tournament and ranked one of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges’ (NWAACC) top four teams in the region, they have a lot to live up to.
The leadership of head coach Chris Scrimsher and the talent of one of his youngest groups of starting players allow the men’s basketball team to continue to impress Whatcom’s students, staff and fans.
“This year, we’re really young,” Scrimsher said. “Four of our five starters are freshmen.”
Scrimsher, who played when he was a student at Everett College, has years of knowledge to pass onto his players. “When I played, there wasn’t a three-point line,” he said with a laugh.
Having been a part of Whatcom’s basketball program for 17 years and head coach for 13, Scrimsher has been able to set a strong foundation to help his players form a game and championship winning team.
The level of excellence that Scrimsher expects on the court is expected in the class room as well “Many people have a misconception about athletics,” he said. “Here, it’s students first, and all our players are above a 3.0 grade point average.”
Among some of the most recognized players under Scrimsher’s coaching are Kyle Impero and Alex Duncan. Impero was named Most Valuable Player of last year’s Crossover Tournament as well as Washington Player of the Year in high school. Duncan was also on the Crossover Tournament’s all-star team.
With the season just starting up in January, the team is looking to improve upon its record of 5-2 and make it back to the NWAACC championship tournament once again.
“We want to be in the top four again,” Scrimsher said of the team’s goals this year. “When we play well, it gives the players a better chance to get recruited and continue their careers.”
